AB No. 26 – Definition of Public Works Construction AB 26 amends Labor Code section 12760 to expand the definition of “public works.” Under existing law, “construction” includes work performed during the design and preconstruction phases of construction. Under the … Continued

Beginning July 1, 2015, most California employers, including local public agencies, must allow accrual of paid sick leave hours by employees who have worked at least 30 days. Paid sick leave must accrue at a rate of at least one … Continued

Local agencies that own or license computerized data containing personal information must disclose any breach of the security of the system. (Civ. Code § 1798.29.) A dated disclosure must be made “in the most expedient time possible.” The disclosure should be … Continued

SB 530, which became effective January 1, 2014, amended California Labor Code section 432.7 to prohibit public and private employers from asking most job applicants about criminal records that have been expunged, sealed or dismissed. A separate related bill, AB … Continued

Statutes, ignored for years, often come to life when the news of the day focuses attention on the subject of the statute. The news of the day promises to bring Penal Code 72.5 to the attention of prosecutors. The first … Continued

Winter is a season for assaults on political corruption. (The other seasons are spring, summer and fall.) A recent San Diego case opens the door to citizen suits and may shut down a major loophole in the conflicts laws. San … Continued

We recently posted on our website a summary of selected laws effective in 2014. The following is in response to requests for further information on Chapter 650 (conflicts of interest), which is addressed below. District Attorney Jurisdiction over Contractual Conflicts … Continued

A recent Court of Appeals decision, Mission Springs Water District v. Verjil, offers hope that the initiative provisions of Proposition 218 will not prevent districts from recovering costs of service. This requires explanation because of the unique procedural setting for … Continued

California Supreme Court recently issued an opinion on how the Public Records Act treats digital material. The opinion was expected and resolves a few interpretive questions. In Sierra Club v. Superior Court (2013) – Cal 4th – (DAR8880), the County … Continued